claas-group.com

claas-group.com

claas-group.com

The Claas brothers

Under the name “Gebrüder Claas” (Claas Brothers), the firm became well known all around the world. So who were the company’s founding fathers, August, Bernhard, Franz and Theo, and what were they like?

New TUCANO 570

Roger Heygate, Northamptonshire

Until last year Northamptonshire grower Roger Heygate was running a TUCANO 440 with a 6.6m header. But with a few more acres to cut and the combine having done five years service, it was felt that it was time to take a step up.

“Initially we looked at second-hand LEXION 570s and 740s but it felt that for the money we would be better off having a new machine,” explains Mr Heygate. “A single-rotor hybrid TUCANO 570 seemed like a good match for our acreage.”

Why a TUCANO 570?

“With 1200 acres to cut we need to push on when the weather allows. We were finding that the main factor limiting the 440’s output was walker losses. Sometimes we’re cutting crops when they’re not quite fit and so we needed more thorough threshing – that’s why we liked the idea of the hybrid.”

“We’re growing a lot of biscuit wheats so we need to hit the quality spot-on to get the premium – we need combine capacity to make sure that happens.”

How has it performed?

“We’re able to run the concave more open because the rotor is more efficient in separating unthreshed grains which means there’s less pressure on the drum and we can push more crop through the machine.”

“With the 440 we were covering 60 acres on a good day in 4t/acre crops of wheat. The 570 means we’re now closer to 90 acres.”

“The new header has made a huge difference too. Not having to change filler-plates makes swapping from rape to cereals a much quicker job – we’re saving at least an hour each time.”

“The bigger auger means we get no crop wrapping and it all feeds in a lot smoother.”

Other highlights

CEBIS – “Having the key functions on the hotkey means the whole computer set-up is now much easier to operate.”

Unloading – “The new auger unloads so much faster than before and going to a turret-type design means it swings out better and you can see more.”

Straw-chopper – “We’re getting much better chop lengths than before – the straw is a good length to deal with for following cultivations.”

Why CLAAS?

“When looked around at the options, we found CLAAS was the only manufacturer to build a smaller rotary hybrid so that sealed the deal for us. Our acreage just doesn’t justify the expense of a bigger machine.”

“And the back-up is reliable – we always get good service from KIRBYs.”

New TUCANO 570

Michael Parry, Gloucestershire

Until last year the 200ha (500 acres) of arable crops at Roundhill Farm were harvested by a contractor. But with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns at harvest, they weren’t always cut at their driest and as things dragged on, quality would start to deteriorate.

“We wanted to take control of our own destiny. We had a good relationship with our local contractor but he couldn’t always be here when we needed him,” explains Michael Parry.

“The main aim of buying our own combine was to be able to cut the crops when they are at their fittest and driest.”

So earlier this year Mr Parry and farm manager Jim Organ started looking at the options, initially considering a second-hand CLAAS LEXION. But, wanting to keep things as up-to-date as possible, they finally opted for a brand-new pre-production TUCANO 570.

Why a TUCANO 570?

“CLAAS LEXIONs have a fantastic reputation locally and so we assumed that, on our relatively small acreage, we would be best to go with a used machine. But when it came to it CLAAS explained they had new TUCANOs on the way and the top-end TUCANO would easily handle our cropping. It made more sense to go for the reliability and warranty cover of a brand new machine.”

How has it performed?

“Initially we were unsure of the single-rotor hybrid concept because we sell a lot of straw. But in fact it’s proved excellent and we’re definitely getting a lot more output than a straw-walker machine,” says Mr Parry.

“The CEBIS computer makes tweaking the settings so easy – it’s just fantastic not to have to get out and alter the sieves and means you’re always getting the most from the machine.”

Being able to alter all the combine settings from the cab has made a big difference, according to Mr Organ.

“Being able to adjust the speed of the rotor means we’re able to really fine tune things according to the condition of the crop. That way we’re never smashing the straw and the sample is just fantastic. We’re covering 70-80 acres a day comfortably, safe in the knowledge there’s nothing going over the back. There’s virtually no sign of volunteers – even in the rape stubble.”

“Partly that’s down to the new design VARIO header which is really superb, especially as there is no longer the need to get out and fit filler-plates when the knife is fully extended.”

Why CLAAS?

“As a pilot, I’m used to precision-engineered machinery – CLAAS kit is about as close to aeronautical standards as you’ll get. The build quality is just superb,” says Mr Parry.

“But most importantly the back-up from MILL ENGINEERS is fantastic – it’s no wonder they have such a good reputation.”